Kenya, which has launched Vision 2060 that seeks to make the economy a high-income, industrialised country, is racing to industrialize and is looking for Chinese investors to setup manufacturing plants in the country.
It is well to be noted that Kenya is looking to establish itself as a competitive investment hub when it comes to Chinese businesses which are looking to expand their operations in Africa, said Pius Rotich, the director of manufacturing sector investments at the Kenya Investment Authority, at a meeting to mark the commencement of the 3-day ninth Kenya International Industrial Expo and Kenya Investment & Trade Fair 2026 in Nairobi on September 3, 2026. He added in the context of Chinese investors to setup manufacturing plants scenario that “China has shown a strong, enduring commitment to Kenya, with strong growing investment in infrastructure cooperation, and today, Kenya is committed to deepening these relations.”
As per Rotich, the establishment of factories in Kenya will help increase local manufacturing capacity and also boost Kenya’s exports to China. It is well to be noted that China is Kenya’s biggest trading partner as well as a source of direct investment. Manufacturing has been a key area of bilateral economic ties in recent years, with Chinese companies establishing manufacturing facilities across Kenya in industries ranging from agriculture and pharmaceuticals as well as machinery equipment.
The fact is that the economic transformation of Kenya will rely on more investment when it comes to productive sectors, more robust local manufacturing, more uptake in terms of technology and innovation, and greater access to domestic and international markets, said the national director, Lower Eastern Region at the Kenya National Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Joseph Mutavi Kithu. He said that “we remain committed to creating an enabling environment in which businesses can grow, compete and participate meaningfully in national and global value chains.”
Kithu says that industrialisation is not only about big factories but also thousands of micro, small and medium enterprises – MSMEs, suppliers, distributors, and technology providers, as well as service businesses, which are the foundation of the economy.
Utilize strong ties
Kenya would take advantage of its strong relations with China so as to source machinery and equipment and set up manufacturing bases in the country, while urging Chinese manufacturers to scale up their activities in the East African nation.
Kithu further said that “when you set your factory here, you will have the advantage of accessing a large market easily”, adding that local production might also help bring down prices and benefit the Kenyan consumers.
The expo, put together by Afripeak Expo Kenya in collaboration with the Kenya National Chamber of Commerce and Industry and Invest Kenya, showcased businesses from Kenya, China and various other international markets, with exhibitors displaying products and technologies within the spectrum of manufacturing, machinery, construction, energy, electronics, healthcare, hardware as well as industrial technology.
The managing director of Afripeak Expo Kenya, Gao Wei, said the expo this year had a business representative coming from Guangdong province in South China, which is one of the country’s major manufacturing and export bases, for the first time.
He added that “We believe the participation of Guangdong enterprises will bring not only competitive products, but also new technologies, business models and potential investment opportunities to Kenya.”
The expo also had a strong showing by companies that specialize in laser engraving, laser cutting and other related industrial processing equipment.
“These technologies have wide applications in manufacturing, metal processing, furniture, advertising, construction, packaging and many other industries. We hope that Kenyan SMEs, manufacturers and entrepreneurs will take this chance to learn about these technologies, find appropriate equipment and explore cooperation.”